Water purification system

Abstract

A reverse osmosis water purification system includes a support structure dimensioned and arranged to facilitate manual transportation, purification components mounted on the support structure for producing product water and waste water from feedwater by reverse osmosis, and pump components mounted on the support structure for pumping feedwater from a separate source to the purification means. An accumulator may be included for accumulating the feedwater under pressure, and the support structure may take the form of a suitcase-like component housing a battery supply, a solar panel, water pressure and amperage instrumentation, electrical connectors for various external power sources, and water line connectors for feedwater inlet and both product water and waste water outlet purposes.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A reverse osmosis water purification system, comprising: a support structure in the form of a suitcase-like component;   purification means mounted on the support structure for producing product water and waste water from feedwater by reverse osmosis, the purification means including a prefilter, a reverse osmosis membrane, and a post filter connected in series;   a diaphragm pump mounted on the support structure for pumping feedwater from a separate source;   inlet means on the support structure for coupling the feedwater from the separate source to the diaphragm pump;   accumulator means mounted on the support structure and coupled to the pump for accumulating the feedwater from the pump for coupling to the prefilter;   first outlet means on the support structure for outletting the product water from the post filter;   second outlet means on the support structure for outletting the waste water from the purification means;   a battery mounted on the support structure for powering the diaphragm pump;   a solar panel mounted on the support structure for powering the diaphragm pump; and   means mounted on the support structure for enabling a user to connect the diaphragm pump to an external source of electrical power.   
     
     
       2. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the suitcase-like component includes a base, a cover mounted on the base for movement between an open position and a closed position, and a handle for use in manually transporting the system.   
     
     
       3. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the accumulator means includes: pressure gauge means for indicating the pressure of the supply of feedwater in the accumulator means.   
     
     
       4. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein: the solar panel is removable from the support structure.   
     
     
       5. A system as recited in claim 4, including means for supporting the solar panel apart from the support structure in position facing the sun; and   means for coupling the pump means to the solar panel.   
     
     
       6. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for enabling includes: a cord having a connector configured to be plugged into a conventional automotive cigarette lighter outlet.   
     
     
       7. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the enabling means includes: a converter component carried by the support structure.   
     
     
       8. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising: ammeter means carried by the support structure for indicating the amount of electric current being drawn by the pump.